NYC Lawmakers Consider Crackdown on Cat Calls

Maybe 'no-harassment zones' around schools?
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 29, 2010 6:03 PM CDT
NYC Lawmakers Consider Crackdown on Cat Calls
Sports reporter Ines Sainz made headlines recently when Jets players made lewd cat calls.   (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

New York men may have to watch their mouths. The City Council yesterday heard complaints from women about the cat calls they endure when on the streets. The advocacy group Hollaback made the case for "no-harassment zones" around schools and other areas and at the very least for a public awareness campaign, reports AP. Lawmakers said they'll consider the ideas.

"When does a friendly compliment or a 'hello' become harassment, and when does a mere annoyance turn into a violation worthy of punishment?" asks Tracy Clark-Flory at Salon. "These are questions the committee will unenviably have to wrestle over." (More sexism stories.)

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